Boulder County closes James Canyon to non-residents, cyclists for flood repair

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
05/08/2014 01:10:14 PM MDT

Jamestown resident Colleen Williams gives her neighbor, Leon Hill, right, a hug early in the morning along James Canyon Drive in Jamestown on Sept. 15 Boulder County on Thursday closed James Canyon to non-residents and cyclists as flood recovery continues. (Helen H. Richardson / The Denver Post)

Boulder County today closed James Canyon to all non-residents -- including cyclists -- as repair work continues following the massive September flooding.

James Canyon will be closed effective immediately from Left Hand Canyon through Jamestown and to Peak to Peak Highway, according to a news release.

The county's high-hazard work is no longer in James Canyon, but large trucks and heavy machinery helping with private recovery efforts in the canyon pose a danger to motorists and cyclists, officials said.

“Thanks to warmer weather, a lot of work has been completed in James Canyon and in Jamestown,” Jamestown Mayor Tara Schoedinger said in a statement. “What we need now is to let residents and the people who have come to help rebuild have the room they need to do their job as quickly and safely as possible. With your help and patience, Jamestown will come back stronger than ever and once again be the beautiful mountain town that we all love to live in and visit.”

George Gerstle, Boulder County transportation director, said Left Hand and Sunshine canyons are both open and are better options for cyclists.

“If you don't live in these areas and aren't helping rebuild these hard-hit communities, you're probably obstructing recovery operations," Gerstle said in a statement.